Droylsden F.C.-The bloods on the net!

DROYLSDEN 1 – 0 CAMBRIDGE CITY

F. A. TROPHY (2ND ROUND) – Saturday 12 January 2008

Report by Gary Owen

Cambridge City will consider themselves rather unlucky not to be in the hat for the next round after this narrow defeat.

The visitors looked the better side in the first half, as Ashley Fuller twice went close before loanee Luke Medley saw his shot agonisingly bounce back into play off the foot of Droylsden's left hand post, and the Bloods were able to clear.

Terry Fearns had two good efforts for the Bloods, his first going straight to Ashley Timms in the Cambridge goal, but he should have done better with his second when found unmarked at the far post by Jody Banim, his first-time effort going well wide of the mark.

"I roasted them at half-time" explained Bloods' boss Dave Pace. "They were going through the motions, and I told them they have to graft and work hard if they are to achieve anything."

It was a much improved display by Droylsden after the break, but they still had to defend well through Steve Halford and Adam Dugdale as Michael Gash and Tom Youngs both threatened.

Ashley Burbeary volleyed straight at Timms before the deadlock was broken. Banim jinked his way past two before his shot was blocked by Lee Chaffey – and luck was not on City's side as the ball fell kindly to Fearns, who took a touch before slotting past Timms.

Banim's exquisite chip bounced off the crossbar, and Burbeary had three team-mates unmarked in the box late on as Droylsden looked to secure matters with a second, and despite the seven minutes of added time, the hosts held on.

"A scrappy 1-0 win will do me" said Dave Pace. "It wasn't the best of games, but it's a win and a clean sheet. I'll be happy with more 1-0 wins in this competition, and it would be great to get to Wembley for the fans, and league survival will be great for the club. It's also made history for the club today, reaching the last 32 of the FA Trophy for the first time in the club's 115 year history" explained Pace.

On the player front, all he would say was "I've got the club at heart, so any new players coming I will be the right ones on the right contracts. I thought Sean made an impact today" referring to Sean Taylforth, a left winger on loan from Bradford City.

TEAMS:

DROYLSDEN Phillips, Roche, Cryan, Dugdale, Halford, Lynch (Murray 81'), McGuire, Tandy (Taylforth, 50'), Burbeary, Banim, Fearns.

Subs not used: Talbot, Salmon, Daly

CAMBRIDGE CITY Timms, Bruce, Radcliffe, Chaffey, Theobald, Bowditch, Midgley, Simpson, Gash, Medley (Youngs 57' – Roache 76'), Fuller (Wales 76')

Subs not used: Herbert, E'Beyer

Referee: Mr. J. G. Adcock (Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire)

Attendance: 377